USS Wasp, US Carrier Naval art
prints by leading naval artists. USS Wasp, considered roughly to be a
modified USS Ranger with design ideas of the Yorktown Class. USS
Wasp was built by Bethlehem, Quincy and laid down on the 1st April
1936, launched 4th April 1939 and completed 25th April 1940. USS Wasp
could carry 76 aircraft and this was made up in 1942 with 27 fighters,
37 bombers and 12 torpedo Planes. In April 1942 she participated
in the Relief of Malta by carrying Spitfires for the islands defense.
But later that same year on 15th September 1942 USS Wasp was sunk.
Displacement: 14,700 tons, and full
load 18,450 tons. Speed 29.5 knots. Range 12,500 miles at 15
knots, Compliment 2167 Armament: Eight 5 inch guns, Sixteen
1.1 inch (4x4) and twenty Four .5 inch. 76 aircraft
Stung by the Wasp by Stan Stokes.
The Axis attack on the British controlled island of Malta commenced in 1940 only one day after Mussolini committed Italy's forces on the side of the Germans during WW II. This strategically located island was a thorn in the side of Axis plans to dominate the Mediterranean and win control of North Africa. Malta would be attacked thousands of times by waves of both Italian and German bombers during the course of the War. On a per acre basis it may be one of the most bombed targets of WW II. In the early phases of the defense of the island a handful of Gloster Gladiators which were supplemented eventually by RAF Hurricanes carried on the brunt of the islands defense. Spitfires were sorely needed. The first Fifteen Spitfires arrived in Malta on March 7, 1942, and a second group of Spits arrived on March 29. In both cases they were launched from the HMS Eagle, and had to fly more than 600 miles over the Mediterranean to reach the island. In April of 1942, Churchill asked Roosevelt for.........
The USS Wasp launches Spitfires of 601 and 603 Squadrons towards Malta in a desperate, but successful, attempt to defend the beleagurered island, April 1942.
Item Code : DHM2260
Operation Calendar by Simon Atack. - Editions Available
